Elfriede McMiller

Elfriede Hilda McMiller of Charlotte, North Carolina, was embraced by our Lord on November 29, 2014.

Elfriede was born in Germany, married Willie McMiller, and emigrated to the U.S. after World War II. Willie predeceased her in 1997. Elfriede leaves behind six children, Willie McMiller of Florida, Marvin McMiller of Massachusetts, Stanley McMiller of Massachusetts, Stewart McMiller of South Carolina, Mona Lisa McMiller of Michigan, and Melvin McMiller of California, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the National Cemetery in Bourne, Massachusetts, where her beloved husband is buried, at 1pm on December 6, 2014.

Beverly Solinger

Beverly Solinger
January 20, 1940 - November 29, 2014

Beverly Solinger, 74, of Charlotte, NC, formerly of Lakewood, NY, passed away Saturday, November 29, 2014, in the Levine Dickson Hospice House, Charlotte, NC.

She was born January 20, 1940 in Jamestown, NY, a daughter of the late L. Harold and Darlene Stewart Peterson. In previous years, she was employed by the former Castle Lighting Store in Jamestown for several years. She was a member of the Lakewood Rod & Gun Club and the Celoron American Legion.

She will be remembered as a loving and caring mother and grandmother who loved to spend time with her family and friends playing card games and also loved playing bingo. Surviving are two daughters, Lori Barrett of Charlotte, NC, and Cindy Ferraro-Labrozzi of Rock Hill, SC; and four grandchildren, Shane Barrett of Jamestown, NY, Jordan Ferraro of Jamestown, NY, Melissa Ferraro-Terrel of Charlotte, NC, and Chelsea Barrett of Charlotte, NC. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Theodore R. Solinger, Jr. who died September 30, 1976; a son, Gregory Scott Solinger who died in November of 1980; and a brother, Harland L. Martin who died December 15, 2014.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Donald E. Ray will officiate. Burial will be in the Pine Hill Cemetery, Falconer, NY. Friends will be received from 7-9 pm Tuesday in the funeral home and for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday in the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice Chautauqua County, 20 West Fairmount Ave., Lakewood, NY 14750

Annie Skipper

Annie Lee Spake Martin Skipper
December 1, 1917 - November 29, 2014

Annie Lee Spake Martin Skipper went to her heavenly home on Saturday, November 29, at her residence in Myrtle Beach, SC, where she had been residing with her daughters and hospice care after having congestive heart failure on September 3.

Annie Lee was born December 1, 1917, in Gaston County, NC, to Javie Price and Fred Bernard Spake along with 13 siblings. Preceding her in death were her beloved husbands, Willie Ambrose Martin (24 years) and Woodrow Wilson Skipper (50 years), as well as siblings, Mason Paler Spake, Susie Belle Gordon, Mabel Juanita Kiser, Elmer Guy Climber, Margie Climer, Alice Morris, Pauline and Paulette Climber, Albert Lee Climer, and Harold Climer. She is survived by her brother, Fred Alexander Spake (FL), and her sister Peggy Climer Ryan (TX), and her two daughters, Delores Jordan Mullis (Char) and Kay Martin Liner (Sam) (Salisbury). She had four grandchildren, Denise Masci (Vittorio, Italy), Michael Jordan (Myrtle Beach, SC), Jay Jordan (FL), LeAnn Liner Wood (Gerald) (Salisbury, NC), and three great-grandchildren, Taylor, Trent, and Tara Wood (Salisbury). She will be remembered and greatly missed by all who loved her dearly.

She loved music and made her own as she cooked and danced around the kitchen joyfully serving others. She loved playing "Skip-Bo" with her family and friends, and feeding anyone who happened by. For many years, she was an active member of University Hills Baptist Church where she faithfully helped cook Wednesday nigh suppers making her homemade biscuits and enjoying singing in the senior choir. For the past five years, she has attneded Socastee Baptist Church (Myrtle Beach), Central Church of God (Charlotte), and Gold Hill Wesleyan Church as she alternated staying with her daughters. She was educated in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and worked in Wilson Junior High and Derita Elementary Schools' cafeterias, retiring with 25 years of service in 1980.

Visitation with family and friends will be Thursday, December 4, at University Hills Baptist Church, 1500 Suther Road, Charlotte, NC 28213 at 12:30 pm followed by the funeral at 1:30 pm with Rev. Coye Still and Rev. Mike Toney officiating. Burial will follow at Sharon Memorial Gardens in Charlotte with Rev. Ron Martin officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to University Hills Baptist Church Building Fund.

Charles Tait

Charles Loren Tait
January 23, 1931 - November 27, 2014

Charles Loren Tait, 83, passed away in Charlotte on November 27, 2014, after a long illness. He was born on January 23, 1931, in Chattanooga, TN, to Harvey and Lulie Williamson Tait. Loren was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Billie Roberts Tait. He is survived by his son, David L. Tait, M.D.; daughter-in-law, Becka Tait, M.D.; and two grandsons, Andrew and Charlie.

Living all but the last few months of his life in Chattanooga, Loren graduated from Central High School in Chattanooga in 1949 and went on to receive his Pharmacy degree from the University of Tennessee, Memphis. His life-lng career in pharmacy began as a teenager working at the soda fountain of a local pharmacy. He enjoyed telling stories of making limeades and banana splits for his customers and went on to work for many area pharmacies through the years before retiring in 1994.

His hobbies included classical music, restoring antique cars, and watch repair. Enjoying his keen interest in watches and clocks, Loren repaired watches for over 35 years. This hobby brough him great joy and many friendships through the years. A man of deep Christian faith, he enjoyed studying the Bible and teaching an occasional Sunday School class. He and Billie were early members of Trinity-Woodmore United Methodist Church and later in life he was a member of Faith Bible Church.

The funeral service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home in Chattanooga on December 1 with interment at Chattanooga Memorial Park. Memorial gifts can be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte.

Brian Trudell

Mr. Trudell died November 25, 2014.  Services will be privately held at a later date.

Coy W. Plott

Coy Walter Plott
May 21, 1937 - November 20, 2014

Coy Walter Plott, 77, of Charlotte, passed away unexpectedly on November 20, 2014, as a result of complications from a stroke.  He was born May 21, 1937 in Cabarrus County to the late Gertrude and Hugh Plott.  He graduated from Pfeiffer University in 1959 as a proud member of Pfeiffer’s first soccer team and was especially proud of having scored the team’s first goal in school history.

Coy’s hard work and determination led to a 50-year career in the insurance industry.   As an independent  agent, he quickly established himself as a member of the Million Dollar Round Table and received numerous other awards. More important than the success and awards, Coy was grateful for the countless number of friendships founded along the way. He never met a stranger and is well remembered for his quick wit, infectious laugh, and never ending stories.  He spent many years of his life serving others as a loyal member of the Charlotte East Rotary Club. He was proud of becoming a Paul Harris Fellow. Coy enjoyed many rounds of golf as a member of Myers Park Country Club for thirty-eight years.

Coy enjoyed a rich and rewarding life, yet nothing surpassed his love for his family and spending time with them.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and son- in- law.  He enjoyed travel, spending time on the coast, and happy times on the dance floor.  He was an enthusiastic, and sometimes overzealous, fan at his grandchildren’s sporting events and other activities.  He always had his camera in hand to capture his most special moments.  His passion for sports and children was evident, especially during his Park Sharon and Southpark Youth League coaching days.  Coy will always be remembered for his friendly demeanor and kind heart.

Married for 47 years, Coy is survived by the love of his life, Jackie; his three children, Kelly Plott and his wife Shana of Charlotte, and their children, Patrick, Emma, and Harrison; Missy Kersting and her husband Jim of Mount Pleasant, SC, and their two children, Jack and Lucy; and Chad Plott and his wife Debbie of Mount Pleasant, SC, and their daughters, Caroline and Claire; and his beloved mother-in-law, Doris Moore, of Charlotte.

The family is eternally grateful to Dr. Carlene Kingston and her entire team at Presbyterian Hospital for their outstanding care and unwavering compassion during this difficult time. 

Memorials may be sent to St. Jude’s Hospital, Sharon Towers Resident’s Assistance Fund, or the Humane Society of Charlotte.

A memorial service to celebrate Coy’s life will be held on Monday, November 24, at 2:00pm at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte, with a reception immediately following the service.

John Crawford Sr.

John D. Crawford, Sr.
October 23, 1939 - November 19, 2014

John Dale Crawford, Sr., 75, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away November 19, 2014. He was born October 23, 1939 in Tate County, Mississippi, the son of John and Hazel Sinquefield Crawford. John graduated from Mississippi State University with a B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering after serving four years in the United States Air Force. He was married to the former Ellen McMorrough in 1965. His career with General Electric and Lockheed Martin Aerospace carried him to live in Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Retirement brought him back to Mississippi and then to North Carolina. John was a member of Maples Memorial United Methodist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Known for his sense of humor, John enjoyed meeting people, gardening, and following Mississippi State University sports.

He is survived by his wife of forty-nine years; sons, John Crawford, Jr. (Kim) of Denver, Colorado, Daniel Crawford (Shelly) of Charlotte, and Andrew Crawford of North Charleston, South Carolina; grandsons, Aidan and Benjamin Crawford; and granddaughters, Aubrey, Lily, and Elizabeth Crawford. He is also survived by sisters, Shirley Crawford Jones and Janis Crawford Leake. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Margaret Crawford York and Carolyn Crawford Haire.

Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Charlotte on Saturday, November 22, 2014 at 11am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

Helen Ecoff

December 30, 1923 - November 17, 2014

Helen Marion Ecoff, 90, of St. Louis went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 17, 2014. She was born in Poplar Bluff, MO on December 30, 1923 and graduated from Pacific High School in 1941.

Helen is survived by her children, Junia Graeff and son-in-law, Warren Graeff of St. Louis, MO, Mark Ecoff of St. Louis, MO, and Susan Dulian and son-in-law, Jim Dulin of Charlotte, NC. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, Nicole, Nathan, Gracie, Meagan, Asa, Shannon, Libby, and Emma; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to her dear parents and brothers, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 65 years, Daniel Pruett Ecoff of Webster Groves, MO.

Helen enjoyed a beautiful life raising her family in Webster Groves. Her lifelong passions included Cardinals baseball, Rams football, Blues hockey, quilting, trivia games, and her loving church family at First United Methodist Church of Webster Groves. She had a brilliant mind, a gentle spirit, and a loving heart. Though we mourn her loss, we know the angels in heaven are rejoicing, and we will all be together again.

A Memorial Service will be held on November 22, 2014 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church located at 600 Bompart Ave., Webster Groves, MO 63119. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00-11:00 preceding the service at the church.

Contributions in memory of Helen can be made to the elevator fund at First United Methodist Church of Webster Groves.

Theda Nicholas

Mrs. Nicholas died November 14, 2014.  Services will be privately held at a later date.

Angelo Sanchez

Angelo Joseph Sanchez
March 31, 1930 - November 13, 2014

Angelo Joseph Sanchez, 84, of Pineville, NC, formerly of Vero Beach, Florida for 60 years, passed away November 13, 2014.  He was born on March 31, 1930 in Tampa, Florida to the late Jose and Dollie Sanchez.

He was a U.S. Air Force veteran and served in the Korean War. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Bonnie H. Sanchez; daughter, Teresa D’Albora (Paul); son, Mark Sanchez (Carolyn); grandchildren, Angela D’Albora, Jacob D’Albora (Megan), Sara Sanchez, Elizabeth Sanchez; and great-grandchild, James D’Albora.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2014 at Christ Lutheran Church, 4519 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to Alzheimer’s Association.

If you would like to get in touch with the family, you may reach them at the following addresses:

Bonnie Sanchez: 12910 Dorman Rd., Apt 3308, Pineville, NC 28134
Terri D'Albora: 11902 Harmon Lane, Pineville, NC 28134
Mark Sanchez: 9862 SW 74th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34476